Iowa
Permanent URL for this collectionhttps://dspace.firearmsresearchcenter.org/id/frc0001/3837
Iowa
This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to Iowa. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from the territorial period through statehood to the present.
- Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
- Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, agricultural, railroad, and manufacturing records, and oral histories tied to Iowa people and places.
- Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.
Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.
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Item type:Item, Chas. Ben. Darwin, Ordinances of the City of Burlington 112 (1856)(1855)Prohibited the discharge of firearms within the city.Item type:Item, Geoffrey Andrew Holmes, Compiled Ordinances of the City of Council Bluffs 168-169 (1887)(1887)§§ 5-6: Prohibited operating a pistol gallery or shooting gallery without a license. Licenses shall cost ten dollars per month or fifty dollars per year. Minors are prohibited at the ranges.Item type:Item, The Code: Containing All the Statutes of the State of Iowa 76-77 (1873)(1873)§ 453: Cities and towns shall have the authority to prevent injury and annoyances from transportation and keeping of gunpowder and other combustibles, and licensing of powder magazines.Item type:Item, An Act Defining Crime and Punishments, 130, Ch. 49, Sec. 72, in Revised Statutes of the Territory of Iowa (Reprint 1911)(1843)Prohibited aiding prisoners in jail from escaping by, among other methods, conveying instruments or arms. Violators fined not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars and imprisoned in the penitentiary at hard labor for a term not exceeding two years.Item type:Item, An Act Defining Crime and Punishments, 131, Ch. 49, Sec. 3, in Revised Statutes of the Territory of Iowa (Reprint 1911)(1843)Prohibited any person from breaking and entering, in the nighttime, any mansion, house, shop, store, or any other house, building, boat, or craft which any person shall reside and commit violence or do so armed with a dangerous weapon. Violators fined three hundred dollars, and imprisoned not exceeding thirty days.Item type:Item, 1845 Iowa Acts 119(1845)An Act to Incorporate and Establish the City of Dubuque, chap 123, § 12: The city of Dubuque shall have the authority to regulate the storage of gun powder.Item type:Item, An Act Defining Crime and Punishments, 126, Ch. 49, Sec. 51, in Revised Statutes of the Territory of Iowa (Reprint 1911)(1843)Prohibited maliciously stabbing or shooting another with intent to kill, wound, or maim. Violators imprisoned not less than one nor more than twenty years.Item type:Item, Chas. Ben. Darwin, Ordinances of the City of Burlington 149-50 (1856)(1841)§ 1: Allowed the mayor and aldermen of the city to authorize a committee on internal improvements to give requirements and regulations before approval of shooting batteries may be given.Item type:Item, An Act to Organize, Discipline, and Govern the Militia of This Territory, Ch. 96, Sec. 11, in Revised Statutes of the Territory of Iowa (Reprint 1911).(1839)That it shall be the duty of every non-commissioned officer and private, who owns a rifle, musket, or firelock, to appear with it in good order at every parade.Item type:Item, E.M. Sharon, Revised Ordinances of the City of Davenport 165 (1893)(1893)§ 37: Prohibited selling or keeping for sale, any toy pistol or toy gun which uses fulminating or explosive caps, cartridges, or other explosive substances. Violators guilty of a misdemeanor.Item type:Item, An Act Defining Crime and Punishments, 121, Ch. 49, Sec. 20, in Revised Statutes of the Territory of Iowa (Reprint 1911)(1843)Prohibited assault with a deadly weapon, instrument, or other thing with intent to inflict bodily injury. Violators fined not more than one thousand dollars, and imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years.Item type:Item, An Act Defining Crime and Punishments, 121, Ch. 49, Sec. 21-22, in Revised Statutes of the Territory of Iowa (Reprint 1911)(1843)Prohibited challenging another or accepting an offer to duel, or participating as a second or promoter. Violators fined not less than five hundred dollars, nor more than two thousand dollars. Violators where death ensues shall be guilty of murder.Item type:Item, Wm. E. Miller et al., Charter and Laws of Iowa City 13 (1857)(1854)Ordinance no. 6-An Ordinance to Prevent Shooting, §§ 1-2. Passed April 25, 1853; Published April 27, 1853: Prohibited shooting any gun or firearm within the corporate limits of Iowa City. Violators fined not less than one nor more than ten dollars.Item type:Item, The Statute Laws of the Territory of Iowa 332 (1839)(1839)§ 11: Required every non-commissioned officer and private, who owns a rifle, musket, flintlock, or firelock to bring the weapon in good working order to every parade.Item type:Item, Ordinances: City of Des Moines, Weapons; Concealed, § 209, in H.W. Byers et al., Revised Ordinances of the City of Des Moines 1916, at 325 (1916)(1900Sec. 496. Weapons; Concealed. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry under his clothes or concealed about his person, or found in his possession, any pistol or other firearms, slungshot, brass knuckles, or knuckles of lead, brass or other metal or material, or any sand bag, air guns of any description, dagger, bowie knife, dirk knife, or other knife or instrument for cutting, stabbing or striking, or other dangerous or deadly weapon, instrument or device. Provided, that this section shall not be construed to prohibit any officer of the United States or of any state, or any peace officer from wearing or carrying such weapons as may be convenient, necessary and proper for the discharge of his official duties. (Ord. 349, § 57; Rev. Ord. 1889, ch. 16; Rev. Ord. 1900, § 209.) Sec. 497. Firearms; Discharge in City. No person shall fire or discharge any cannon, gun, fowling piece, pistol, toy pistol, throwing projectiles of any kind or character, or have in his possession any toy pistol, or firearms of any description, within the settled portion of the City, without permission from the Mayor or City Council, and such permission shall limit the time and place of such firing and may be revoked by the Mayor or City Council. (Ord. 349, § 58; Rev. Ord. 1889, ch. 16; Rev. Ord. 1900, § 210.) Sec. 498. Slungshot; Throwing Stones. No person shall have in his possession or use any sling or slungshot of any kind, nor shall any person wilfully or carelessly throw any stone, stick or other substance in such a manner as to hit, injure or endanger any person, window or other property. (Ord. 349, § 59; Rev. Ord. 1889, ch. 16; Rev. Ord. 1900, § 211.))Ordinances City of Des Moines, Weapons, Concealed, § 209: Prohibited the carrying of a concealed pistol or other firearms, slungshot, brass knuckles, or knuckles of lead, brass or other metal or material, or any sandbag, air guns of any description, dagger, Bowie knife, dirk knife, or other knife or instrument for cutting, stabbing or striking, or other dangerous or deadly weapon.Item type:Item, Wm. E. Miller et al., Charter and Laws of Iowa City 47 (1857)(1853)Ordinance no. 33-An Ordinance to Preserve the Peace, §§ 1-2. Published March 15, 1854: The police shall arrest any person, among other violations of the general peace, discharging firearms.Item type:Item, 1838 Iowa Acts 449(1838)An Act to Prevent Disasters on Steam Boats, Navigating the Waters Within the Jurisdiction of the Territory of Iowa, §§ 11-12: Required the master and officers of a steam boat carrying gun powder to store the same in the safest part of the vessel, separate from articles likely to create combustion and would not require carry of any lighted lamp, torch, or candle. Also required persons bringing gun powder onto the boat to inform the master and officers. Violators fined not more than one hundred dollars.Item type:Item, Geoffrey Andrew Holmes, Compiled Ordinances of the City of Council Bluffs 206-07 (1887)(1887)Carrying Concealed Weapons Prohibited, § 105: Prohibited the carrying of a concealed pistol or firearms, slungshot, brass knuckles, or knuckles of lead, brass or other metal or material , or any sandbag, air guns of any description, dagger, Bowie knife, or instrument for cutting, stabbing or striking, or other dangerous or deadly weapon, instrument or device.Item type:Item, 1929 Iowa Acts 90, § 30(1929)Carrying Firearms in Motor Vehicles, § 30: Prohibited carry of a gun or any firearms in or on a motor vehicle.Item type:Item, Chas. Ben. Darwin, Ordinances of the City of Burlington 108 (1856)(1854)§ 19: Prohibited discharging any gun, pistol, or other firearm within any highway or thoroughfare. Violators guilty of a misdemeanor.Item type:Item, E.E. Aylesworth, Compiled Ordinances of the City of Council Bluffs 175 (1880)(1880)§ 16: Prohibited discharge of any cannon, gun, pistol, or other firearms across any street or public place without a permit from the mayor. Violators fined not less than three nor more than thirty dollars.Item type:Item, Chas. Ben. Darwin, Ordinances of the City of Burlington 159 (1856)(1856)§ 9: Empowered the mayor, wharf master, and the fire wardens to give direction to boats containing gun powder, gun cotton, hay, or other combustible materials.Item type:Item, 1909 Iowa Acts 258(1909)Ordinances Legalized, § 1, Ordinance No. 29: Legalized ordinances in the town of Callender due the mayor not being a U.S. citizen. Ordinance 29 prohibited the discharge of missiles from air guns and other weapons in the corporate limits of Callender.Item type:Item, A.S. Hazelton & Frank J. Capell, Compiled Ordinances of the City of Council Bluffs Iowa 203-04 (1920)(1887)§ 75: Prohibited the carrying of a concealed pistol or firearms, slungshot, brass knuckles, or knuckles of lead, brass or other metal or material , or any sandbag, air guns of any description, dagger, Bowie knife, or instrument for cutting, stabbing or striking, or other dangerous or deadly weapon, instrument or device.Item type:Item, John F. Dillon, The Revised Ordinances of the City of Davenport 145 (1866)(1855)Ch. 19, § 1-2: Prohibited discharge of any gun, pistol, or other firearms. Also prohibited discharging firecrackers, rockets, or any other description of fireworks. Violators fined not less than two nor more than ten dollars for each offense.Item type:Item, 1933 Iowa Acts 47-48(1933)Ch. 30, § 24: Prohibited the use of a swivel gun or any other firearm, except those commonly shot from the shoulder or hand in hunting of game. Guns larger than a 10 gauge prohibited.Item type:Item, S.J. Quincy, Revised Ordinances of the City of Sioux City, Iowa 62 (1882)(1882)Public Safety, § 4: Prohibited the carrying a concealed pistol, revolver, slungshot, cross-knuckles, knuckles of lead, brass or other metal, or any Bowie knife, razor, billy, dirk, dirk knife or Bowie knife, or other dangerous weapon.Item type:Item, Chas. Ben. Darwin, Ordinances of the City of Burlington 72-73 (1856)(1847)§§ 1-4: Prohibited any merchant, trader, or other person to retail or deliver gun powder during the night. Violators fined five dollars. Gun powder limited to twenty-five pounds and only in a "safe canister." Gun powder shall only be kept in dwellings approved by the Council. Violators fined one hundred dollars, with the powder confiscated with cost.Item type:Item, 1897 Iowa Code Ann. 1955(1897)§ 5004: Prohibited selling, presenting, or giving, any pistol, revolver, or toy pistol to any minor. Violators fined not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars, or imprisoned not less than ten nor more than thirty days in jail.Item type:Item, Item type:Item, 1894 Iowa Acts 70(1894)An Act to Restrain Hunters from Trespassing Upon Cultivated or Enclosed Lands Without Permission and Providing Penalties Therefor, ch. 64, § 1: Prohibited hunting with a gun or dog on the lands of another without obtaining the owner's permissionItem type:Item, 1897 Iowa Code Ann. 1898(1897)§ 4775: Prohibited concealed carry and brandishing of pistols, revolvers, guns at another. Violators guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than one hundred dollars, or imprisoned in the county jail not more than thirty days.Item type:Item, 1896 Iowa Acts 104(1896)Chapter 102-An Act to Revise, Amend, and Codify the Statutes Relative to the Militia, § 22: Prohibited trespassing on encampment grounds. Also prohibited the sale of any malt, spirits, or other intoxicating liquors within one mile of such grounds. Violators guilty of a misdemeanor. The commanding officer of such force may arrest violators.Item type:Item, 1907 Iowa Acts 81(1907)Ch. 76, § V(e) : Prohibited keeping benzine, benzole, dynamite, ether, fireworks, gasoline, Greek fire, gunpowder in excess of twenty-five pounds, other explosive, phosphorous, calcium carbide, petroleum, or any of its products of greater inflammability.Item type:Item, 1917 Iowa Acts 185(1917)An Act . . . relating to burglary with explosives and to enact a substitute therefor, relating to burglary with explosives and electric burning, and gun, § 1: Enhanced the sentence of any person who breaks and enters any dwelling and opens a vault, safe, or other secure place by use of nitro-glycerine, dynamite, giant powder, gunpowder, or any other explosive material.Item type:Item, 1913 Iowa Acts 307(1913)Ch. 297, §§ 1, 2: Prohibited the carrying of a concealed dirk, dagger, sword, pistol, revolver, stiletto, metallic knuckles, picket billy, sandbag, skull cracker, slungshot, or other offensive and dangerous weapons or instruments. Also prohibited the selling, keeping for sale, offering for sale, loaning, or giving away any dirk, dagger, stiletto, metallic knuckles, sandbag, or "skull cracker." Exempted the selling or keeping for sale of "hunting and fishing knives."Item type:Item, 1878 Iowa Acts 108(1878)Military Code of Iowa, chap. 125, § 1: Included all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years as party of the militiaItem type:Item, 1884 Iowa Acts 86(1884)§§ 1-3: Prohibited the sale, present, or giving of any pistol, revolver, or toy pistol to any minor. Violators fined not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment not less than ten nor more than thirty days.Item type:Item, 1 William E. Miller, Revised and Annotated Code of Iowa 265 (1880)(1880)Title 8, Ch. 1, § 36 Unlawful for Other than Regularly Organized Militia to Organize: Prohibited any body of men, other than the regularly organized volunteer militia and federal troops, from associating as a military company or to drill or parade.Item type:Item, 1876 Iowa Acts 142(1876)An Act to Diminish Liability to Railroad Accidents and to Punish Interference with, and Injury to the Property of Railroad Companies, chap. 148, § 1: Prohibited throwing stones, or other substance, or discharging any gun, pistol, or other firearm at any railroad train, car, or locomotive engine. Violators guilty of a misdemeanor.